Am I looking at the right schools?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm an incoming high school senior so I have a pretty good idea of how well I'm doing and which schools I might apply to. I'd like to major in some sort of business; specifically what, I do not know :).</p>

<p>Anyways, later on I'll post my full stats in the "What are my chances?" threads (so Suze and others can stab at destroying my self-esteem later on), <i>but in the meantime I'd like some input on where I should apply.</i></p>

<p>I was thinking either near New York or California (I'm a Californian as we have an address there and my parents pay income taxes, but I currently reside in Xiamen, China go to a small international school and will graduate with an American HS diploma and ID DP diploma).
I don't mind whether my school is big or small, just not too small.
It should be within 30 mins driving distance to a nearby area that is independent of the school I go to.</p>

<p>Here is my list so far:
USC
NYU
Berkeley
UCLA (I know they don't have business, but they do have business economics)
UCSD
UCD
UCI
and possibly Cornell and UPenn just for the heck of it.</p>

<p>My stats cut short:
GPA:
3.85-ish (Tied for rank 1)</p>

<p>SAT:
CR: 550 M: 720 W: 750 Total: 2020 (Will definitely retake)
Mandarin: 800 Math Level 2: 670 (Will retake) (And I also have a 470 in World History, I think it will be covered up since I already have two scores? Correct me if I'm wrong and if I must retake.)</p>

<p>Activities:
Public Relations Officer, Vice President, President of the Student Government
President, Founder of Aiding China Community Service Club
Editor-in-Chief of the Yearbook Committee
President, Founder, Champion of the Chess Club
Founder of the Drama Club
Team Manager of Varsity Basketball
Member of Varsity Soccer
Member of Varsity Volleyball
(and a bunch of insignificant inconsistent activities, meaning I didn't participate in them for at least 3 years.)</p>

<p>Others
200+ Service hours @ Veterans Affair hospital and the typical park cleanups, fundraisers, etc.
And I assume I'll have decent recommendations and essays.</p>

<p>Can I get feedback on where else I should apply? Or maybe you think the upper part of my list is out of reach? Or is the upper part of the list realistic for Safety/Match/Slight Reach? Any input is appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Hello there. I am not so sure why you sound so shy because your status is outstanding compare to other students I know. Since you're involved with many activities and volunteer experiences, I also will assume you have recommendations covered. However, I'd like to know more on your "decent essays." Your scores are good although the critical reading is lower than the others, don't get discouraged! Um...I think they're your match school, except for NYU, Cornell and U Penn. I suggest you go to collegeboard (if you haven't done so) and look at each school's accepted SATs scores from past incoming students. It'll be really helpful it terms of telling you where you are regarding your SATs scores. Are you also interested in only business schools? If you're going to apply for Ivy League schools as well, I suggest you take up to 4 SAT II's or more if possible. Are you also eligible for fee waivers? Do you have any problem going to school financially? It would help a whole lot. You can always message me if anything.</p>

3

<p>Thanks.
Btw, my graduating class only has 18 students; will that pull me down?
Oh and we've been getting predicted grades for our mock IB exams; I predict my final score added with EE and TOK essays to be 35-40 out of 45.
This one Chinese lady that represents the IBO says that a 40+ almost guarantees you into an ivy league, which of course makes no sense haha.</p>

<p>Any others?</p>

4

<p>Since you're ranked 1, I don't think it will</p>

5

<p>Your list of schools is way too limited. You should look into Georgetown (McDonough), MIT (Sloan), Michigan (Ross), Penn (Wharton) to name a few.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for your input!
Again, I was thinking at least near New York or California.
I think schools like MIT are longshots for me because I don't think I'll have time to study for a science SAT II nor do my activities compare to the "Olympiads" or whatever competitions are held in the states</p>

<p>Any other comments?</p>

7

<p>Your critical reading score seems low for places like Cornell and Penn, so you should at least have some safeties, in case it does not come up a whole lot.</p>

8

<p>I originally did not intend on applying to Ivies, but I thought to myself, why not if I have time?
Are the lower UCs realistic safeties?</p>

9

<p>Are you very religious and conservative? If not, you might want to rethink Baylor.</p>

10

<p>I second what the previous poster said - Baylor is extremely religious. Definitely not for everyone. (Although I don't see where Baylor was even mentioned? I might be going blind). </p>

<p>Also, I'd add Santa Barbara. I hear that the business program there is quite good.</p>

11

<p>Yeah I will probably add UCSB because it's the same UC app :)</p>

<p>and sms2008 may have misread, it's ok.</p>

<p>besides Cornell and UPenn, do you guys think I have a good chance of getting into NYU, USC, Berkeley, UCLA, etc?
My SAT scores will definitely be higher.</p>

12

<p>Thanks for your input.
I'm pretty sure I'm considered an in-state applicant though; I'll be applying with my californian address and my parents pay income taxes there. I actually didn't consider applying to Ivies until grad school because I felt that the first four years of college would allow me to adapt to bigger schools - in prep for the even more competitive environments if I got into say Stanford or Harvard for graduate school, but that's for later.</p>

<p>I decided to apply to UPenn and Cornell just recently, because I thought to myself, why not? And if I happen to get in, that's great.
In my opinion, UCLA/USC are more realistic goals (assuming I'm in-state for UCLA). Anyone agree?</p>

13

<p>PS. Would anyone put NYU above those two schools, admissions-wise? I'm assuming because it's ranked a bit lower, it would be easier to get into than UCLA/USC.</p>

14

<p>I live in NY and I went to NYU, so I have experience there if you have any questions. However, I wanted to suggest University of Miami even though it's not a school on your list. My S goes there and it is a great school for those having lived in another country as there are many students from that situation. It is very diverse with a very International population. The school is a medium sized and has a lot to offer. There is a lot nearby in terms of things to do with Coconut Grove, South Beach and the City of Miami nearby. They are giving a lot of scholarships and it sounds like you could be eligible for that.</p>

<p>Just thought I'd throw it in the mix. BTW, at NYU you are not going to get much of a real college experience. It is more like living in the city and going to classes, most people go their own way with all the city has to offer. I loved it though, so it's up to the individual if that is what they are looking for.</p>

<p>Good luck with your search!</p>

15

<p>Wow. I don't know where I got Baylor from, I must be going insane.</p>

16

<p>Anybody know anything about Cornell?</p>

17

<p>haha. i assume you're going to the international school in beijing. cause a couple of my friends went there from CA and one of them is going to UCLA this year. Mm.. well, if you had more hospitality experience, I'd say Cornell would be an okay shot. But... I dont' know. haha.</p>

18

<p>Lol, I think so far I've gotten two real responses as to whether my schools are appropriate for me or not..</p>

19

<p>Well. hahaha. yeah, i think you should defnitely bring up the whole " i was in china" thing cause i think that will be a big plus. But yeha, you're definitely looking in the right direction. maybe just one more safety just in case? But i think the UCDavis or Irvine are fine safeties. I'm just applying to Irvine cause there's no way i'm going to davis, it's smells like cow poop there. HAHAH. =]</p>

20

<p>maybe consider uva, its a nice school, if not a little southern and preppy. undergrad buisiness rankings:</p>

<p>Top 10 Undergraduate Business Schools:</p>

<pre><code> 1. U. Penn. (Wharton)
2. U.Va. (McIntire)
3. UC-Berkeley (Haas)
4. Emory (Goizueta)
5. Michigan (Ross)
6. MIT (Sloan)
7. Notre Dame (Mendoza)
8. Brigham Young (Marriott)
9. NYU (Stern)
10. Cornell U.
</code></pre>

<p>"BusinessWeek’s complete rankings of the Best Undergraduate Business Schools are online at the BusinessWeek Web site and will appear in the March 19, 2007 issue of BusinessWeek, on newsstands March 9."</p>

<p>found it online with a quick google </p>

<p>hope it helps.</p>